Electric switch operating device



Oct. 16, 1951 J. G. com-:5 2,571,837

ELECTRIC SWITCH OPERATING DEVICE 7 Filed June 15, 1948 6 [b 6 @0 JAcaa ZPatented Oct. 16, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE The present inventionrelates generally to electric switches and is more particularly directedto an improved decorative switch placque and switch operator adapted tobe used in place of the usual wall type switch plate or escutcheon.

This invention in general constitutes an improvement upon the electricswitch manipulating vmeans disclosed in my prior Patent 2,172,731,issued September 12, 1939, and accordingly embodies the desirablefeatures provided thereby together with certain new and additionaladvantages to be hereinafter more fully set forth.

As described in detail in my prior patent, Number 2,172,731, referred toabove, the usual snap-action wall switch is intended to provide a rapidmake-and-break in its associated electrical circuit but in spite of thisfact it has been observed that sparking sometimes occurs of sufiicientintensity to pass through the usual toggle slot thereby shocking orburning the person operating the switch. The switch manipulating meansillustrated in my said prior patent accordingly was developed toovercome this difiiculty and to that end provided a rather large handlemember adapted to cooperate with the usual switch toggle arm or leverbut being of such dimensions as to completely overlie the toggle slot.By reason of this construction it was also found that the externalappearance of the switch could be considerably enhanced by providingornamental decorations upon the exposed portions thereof andfurthermore, the switch was rendered more easily operable in the dark.

While as previously indicated the present invention contemplates theabove enumerated advantagesprovided by the improved constructiondisclosed by my prior patent, Number 2,172,731, the present inventionfurther aims to provide a switch operating device embodying additionalimprovements of a type which both render the switch more satisfactory inoperation and also lend themselves more readily to the rapid largescaleproduction of such devices upon a mass or volume basis.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to providean improved switch operating device of the type described embodyingsubstantially a minimum number of working parts and being otherwise ofrelatively simplified construction thereby lending itself more readilyto the purposes of large-scale production.

Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide animproved switch operating device of the type described embodying a morerigid construction and especially overcoming any 4 Claims. (Cl. 200172)jecting from the switch box 22.

tendency of the switch operating member to rotate relative to its baseor wall plate.

The foregoing as well as numerous other objects and advantages of thepresent invention together with a clearer understanding of the precisenature thereof will become more readily apparent to one skilled in theart from a consideration of the following detailed specification takenin conjunction with the accompanying figures of drawing illustrating apreferred embodiment thereof, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an improved switch operatingdevice in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the switch operating device ofFigure l;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the device takensubstantially along the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the device takensubstantially along the line 44 of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view particularly illustrating therelationship between the three major elements of the device.

Referring ,now in somewhat more detail to the various figures of thedrawing and in particular to Figure 1 thereof, there is disclosed animproved switch operating device having a generally fiat rectangularplate or base 10 on which is slidably mounted an oval shaped switchoperating member [2. The operating member I2 is appreciably larger thanthe usual switch toggle lever and is preferably provided with a suitablydecorated outer surface which may take any of a number of forms andwhich is designated generally by reference numeral I l. Both the base l0and the switch operating member 12 are preferably formed entirely of amolded plastic 24 constituting an open inner cavity for the purpose ofreceiving the toggle arm or lever 26 pro- The base 10 is held inposition on the wall in any convenient 3 manner as by means of screws orbolts 28 extending through countersunk apertures or holes 30 formedalong the longitudinal center line of the base and threadedly engagedwithin suitable holes formed in the usual longitudinal mounting bracket32 which in turn is secured as at 34 to the front wall of the switchhousing 22.

The switch operating member I2 is arranged for limited sliding movementin a longitudinal direction along the front surface of the base I and tothis end the base is provided with a relatively large rectangularaperture 36 in its central portion through which project lugs 38 formedat the opposite sides of the cavity 24 in the member I2 and adapted toabut the upper and lower edges of the aperture 36 to limit the linearmovement of the member I2. In order to resiliently retain the member I2against the outer or front surface of the base I0 there is provided aspring designated generally by reference numeral 40 which is slidablealong the rear or inner surface of the base I0 and is preferably rigidlysecured to the lugs 38 in any convenient manner as by means of rivets 42or the like. The spring 40 is of a very special construction as will behereinafter more fully set forth and it will be noted that this springoverlies the aperture 36 in such manner that the member I2 may be movedbetween its upper and lower limit positions while being simultaneouslyresiliently and continuously urged against the front surface of the baseI 0.

The inner surface or face of the base I0 as shown particularly inFigures 2 and is provided with intersecting pairs of longitudinal andtransverse mold strips 44 and 46, respectively, preferably formedintegrally at one side of the base I9 during the molding operation. Asshown in these figures the mounting holes which receive the bolts 28 arelocated in such manner as to project through the upper and lowertransverse mold strips 46, respectively, the latter being somewhatenlarged at these locations as indicated by reference numeral 48. Itwill thus be apparent that by virtue of this construction I haveprovided for increased strength at the critical mounting points of theassembled device by utilizing portions of the transverse mold strips 46which at the same time accomplish the additional function of increasingthe strength and rigidity of the base ID of the device.

As indicated above, the spring is of very special construction and byreferring particularly to Figures 2 and 5 it will be noted that thisspring is of unitary construction and is formed in the shape of agenerally open rectangle. The main leaf portions 50 at opposite sides ofthe spring 40 are bent inwardly adjacent their ends as indicated byreference numerals 52 and are then reversely curved in an upwarddirection at their terminal portions to form smoothly rounded runners 54adapted for sliding engage ment with the inner surface of the base Ill.Suitable apertures 56 are provided at approximately the midpoints of theleaves 50 for the purpose of receiving the rivets 42 hereinabovereferred to which securely hold the spring 40 to the lugs 38 of theoperating member I2. The spring 40 likewise includes cross members 58 ateach end which are preferably integral and rigid with the leaf portions50 and are similarly curved to carry out the smoothly rounded contoursof the runners 54 so that in overall effect the spring 40 is rectangularin shape with a large central aperture or cut away portion 60.

In assembling the device the operating memher I2 is placed against theouter or front face of the base I 0 with the lugs 38 projecting throughthe aperture 36 at opposite sides of the latter. The spring 40 is thenplaced against the rear or inner face of the base I0 and the leaves 50firmly secured to the lugs 38 by means of the rivets 42 which passthrough the apertures 56. It will be particularly noted in Figures 2 and4 that when the device is thus assembled the spring 40 substantiallycompletely fills the space between the longitudinal mold strips 44transversely of the base I0 while at the same time providing asubstantial amount of unobstructed working space between the transversemold strips 46 so that the spring 40 and operating member I2 may befreely moved longitudinally of the base ID. This construction isparticularly emphasized for the reason that the engagement of the outerlongitudinal edges of the spring 40 in slidable abutting relationshipwith the respective inner edges of the longitudinal mold strips 44constitutes substantially the sole guiding means for the memher in itslinear movement. Thus the mold strips 44 in addition to performing theirfunction of strengthening the base I0 likewise serve as guides for themember I2 and by reason of the unitary construction of the spring 40 andits rigid engagement at two points with the member I2, the latter issubstantially prevented from rotating relative to the base I El.

Although the operation of the device will be largely apparent from theforegoing description it may be briefly noted that as shown in Figure 3the completely assembled device is adapted to be substituted for theusual wall switch plate or escutcheon and is so dimensioned as toconceal the wall cavity 20 when in operative position. Thus it is onlynecessary to remove the wall switch plate or escutcheon which is usuallyprovided and then by means of the screws or bolts 23 to mount myimproved device upon the same bracket 32 in the usual manner. Duringthis mounting or substitution operation the member I2 may be suitablyadjusted in such manner that the switch toggle arm or lever 26 will beproperly received within the cavity 24. Thereafter as the operatingmember I2 is moved longitudinally of the base Iii which is now securedto the switch housing or box 22, the toggle arm 25 will be snapped backand forth in the usual manner but without at any time exposing theoperator to an open path leading to the electrical contacts orconnections of the switch proper.

Throughout the foregoing description an effort has been made toemphasize the simplicity of the present construction by reason of whichmy improved device is soreadily adapted to the purposes of large-scalemass production. Thus it will be noted that each of the mold strips 44and 45 serves a dual function in providing for increased rigidity of thebase I8 and at the same time serves either to in effect elongate andstrengthen the mounting holes 30 or, in the case of the longitudinalstrips 44, to guide the linear movement of the switch operating memberl2. In like manner the construction of the unitary spring 48 isextremely simple and yet is admirably adapted, in conjunction with thestrips 44, to provide the desired straight line motion of the switchoperating member I2, As indicated above, each of the members 58 and I2may be readily formed in a single injection molding or die castingoperation while the spring 40 may be mass produced of steel or othermaterial in a number of different ways such as, for example, by means ofprogressive dies. In like manner the entire device may be rapidlyassembled with a minimum amount of labor so that the entire unit may bemanufactured and sold at extremely low cost.

Obviously numerous other modifications, alterations, and deviations fromthe specific structure disclosed herein solely for the purpose ofillustration will occur to one skilled in the art and it is to beunderstood that various changes in size, shape, and materials ofconstruction may be made Without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as novel and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. Means for actuating an electric switch having movable operatingmeans, comprising a base arranged over the switch and provided with anaperture through which the operating means projects, said base having aninner face provided with spaced parallel guides, an actuating memberhaving an inner face slidable over the adjacent face of said base andhaving portions engageable with said operating means to operate theswitch upon movement of said actuating device parallel to said guides,and a spring engaging the inner face of said base and secured to saidactuating member through said aperture, said spring engaging the innerface of said base at points spaced apart longitudinally of said guidesand having spaced parallel edge portions engaging said guides throughouta substantial portion of the lengths thereof to prevent rotation of saidspring relative to said base.

2. Means for actuating an electric switch having operating meansprojecting therefrom, comprising a base having an aperture ofsubstantial size, said base having an inner face provided with a pair ofparallel spaced guides, an actuating member having a portion engagingsaid operating means to operate said switch upon linear movement of saidactuating device in a given line, and a spring having spaced portionsperpendicular to said guides engageable against the inner face of saidbase, said spring being fixed to said actuating means through saidaperture and having spaced elongated edge portions respectively engagingsaid guides to predetermine linear movement of said actuating membercorresponding to said given line and to prevent rotation of said springrelative to said base.

3. Actuating means for an electric switch having an operating leverprojecting therefrom, comprising a base having an aperture ofsubstantial size through which said lever projects, said base having aninner face and being provided with integral parallel guide ribsprojecting from said inner face, an actuating member slidable over theouter face of said base and provided with a recess receiving the end ofsaid lever to actuate the latter and operate the switch upon movement ofsaid actuating member in a given line, and a spring arranged against theinner face of said base and fixed to said actuating member through saidaperture, said spring having parallel elongated portions perpendicularto said ribs engaging the inner face of said base, said spring lyingwholly between said ribs and having elongated parallel edges slidablealong said ribs to predetermine linear movement of said actuating membercorresponding to said given line and to prevent relative rotation ofsaid member relative to said base.

4. Operating means for an electric switch having an operating leverprojecting therefrom, comprising a base provided with a generallyrectangular substantially central aperture of substantial size, saidbase having an inner face provided with spacedparallel ribs lyingoutwardly of and spaced from opposite sides of said aperture, anactuating member slidable over the outer face of said base and having arecess receiving said lever to operate the switch upon movement of saidactuating member in a given line, and an integral spring having arelatively large central opening of generally rectangular shape definedby side members and transverse portions connecting said side membersand-constituting said spring, said side members being fixed to saidactuating member through the aperture in said base, the remote edgeportions of said spring perpendicular to said side members beingconvexly curved at the 'side adjacent the inner face of said base andbeing slidable over such face, the remote edges of the side members ofsaid spring being parallel and elongated and engageable against theinner edges of said guides to predetermine linear movement of saidactuating member corresponding to said given line and to preventrotation of said actuating member relative to said base.

JACOB G. COLES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,172,731 Coles Sept. 12, 19392,382,738 Moyses Aug, 14, 1945

